In early November, the SportsBusiness Daily reported NHL attendance was down 1.1 percent. As of Dec. 20, the NHL has almost doubled that number averaging 4.7 percent less fans per game than in the 2008-’09 season. A few teams’ losses jump out: Phoenix Coyotes, despite having the sixth most points in the Western Conference are drawing one-third less fans than last season. The Chicago Blackhawks are drawing 105 percent capacity, but overall average attendance numbers are down due to upgrades in the United Center. Last season the Blackhawks drew 111 percent capacity. Year to date, the Blackhawks are running at 105 percent of capacity.
Twenty of the NHL’s 30 teams have seen a decline in paid attendance, three have no change and not a single team has more than a one percent increase in attendance. Six franchises have seen more than 10 percent less fans this season from last.
One explanation could be that many fans are opting to watch games on television. Versus Network, which has the only major TV contract with the NHL, has seen several record high TV ratings this season. Yahoo! Sports and the NHL also have teamed up to provide live full-length games online for free.
Here are the NHL’s attendance numbers, thus far:
Team
‘08‘09
’09-‘10 (to date)
% of Capacity
% (+/-)
Blackhawks
22247
20668
105.1
-7.10%
Canadiens
21273
21273
100
0.00%
Red Wings
19865
19128
95.3
-3.71%
Flyers
19545
19413
99.6
-0.68%
Maple Leafs
19312
19224
102.3
-0.46%
Flames
19289
19289
100
0.00%
Senators
18949
17790
96.2
-6.12%
Canucks
18630
18810
102.1
0.97%
Wild
18568
18197
100.7
-2.00%
Blues
18554
18712
97.7
0.85%
Sabres
18531
18360
98.2
-0.92%
Rangers
18172
18200
100
0.15%
Capitals
18097
18277
100
0.99%
Stars
17680
16978
91.6
-3.97%
Sharks
17488
17553
100.3
0.37%
Bruins
17039
17193
97.9
0.90%
Ducks
16990
14848
86.5
-12.61%
Penguins
16975
17051
100.6
0.45%
Oilers
16839
16839
100
0.00%
Hurricanes
16572
14286
76.3
-13.79%
Lightning
16497
14403
72.9
-12.69%
Kings
16488
16325
88.2
-0.99%
Devils
15790
14854
84.3
-5.93%
Panthers
15621
14352
74.6
-8.12%
Blue Jackets
15543
14641
80.7
-5.80%
Avalanche
15429
13707
76.1
-11.16%
Predators
15010
13731
80.2
-8.52%
Coyotes
14875
9825
56.1
-33.95%
Thrashers
14626
13667
73.7
-6.56%
Islanders
13773
12303
75.5
-10.67%
524267
499897
2712.7
-4.65%
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Matthew Coller is a staff member of the Business of Sports Network, and is a freelance writer. He can be followed on Twitter
Dave "The Hammer" Schultz, the former Philadelphia Flyers winger known for his on-ice toughness, will meet fans and sign bottles of his NHL Alumni Signature Series wines from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22, at the Pennsylvania Wine & Spirits Store at 1940 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia.
"Dave Schultz was one of the most beloved players on the Broad Street Bullies teams that won two Stanley Cups in the 1970s, and we are delighted to bring this great Flyers legend back to Philadelphia so fans can meet him and taste his NHL Alumni Signature Series wines," said Patrick J. "P.J." Stapleton, III, chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
Fans over 21 may purchase bottles of Schultz's wine at the store and have them autographed by Schultz, Stapleton added. A free tasting of Schultz's wines will also be offered for those 21 and over.
Two of Schultz's varietals will be available for purchase during his appearance and are available at more than 20 Philadelphia-area Wine & Spirits stores:
Cabernet Sauvignon: A classic cabernet with deep red-purple hues and a black currant taste that reveals hints of cherry, blackberry, fresh mint and a touch of oak. The price is $12.99.
Chardonnay: A delicious yet simple white wine for those who like unoaked Chardonnay packed with aromas and flavors of tropical fruit, lemon and green apple. The price is $11.99.
For more information on the NHL Alumni Signature Series wines, visit www.alumniwineseries.com.
Schultz played for the Flyers from 1971 to 1976 and was a member of the teams that won the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup in 1974 and 1975. He still holds the record for most penalty minutes in a season, 472, set in 1974-75. Despite his reputation as an enforcer, he scored 20 goals for the cup-winning Flyers in 1973-74. Schultz also skated for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings and Buffalo Sabres before retiring in 1980.
Established in 1933 at the end of national Prohibition, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol. The Board also operates the state's 618 Wine & Spirits Stores. The Liquor Control Board reported sales of more than $1.8 billion in fiscal 2008-09 and a return of $494.5 million in taxes and profits to the state's General Fund, helping to pay the cost of essential services such as education, health care, infrastructure and public safety.
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Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.
The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) Executive Board announced today that it has appointed Ryan Getzlaf (Anaheim Ducks), Jamie Langenbrunner (New Jersey Devils), Brian Rafalski (Detroit Red Wings), Brian Rolston (New Jersey Devils) and Mathieu Schneider (Vancouver Canucks) to constitute a committee tasked with conducting a search for the new NHLPA Executive Director.
This committee will develop appropriate criteria for the candidate search and, after consultation with the members of the Executive Board, initiate the search process to identify potential candidates for the position of NHLPA Executive Director.
Statement from Search Committee Members: “We look forward to beginning the process to select a new Executive Director to lead the NHLPA. We appreciate the significance of the responsibility that the Executive Board has entrusted us with. We are determined to recommend a person as the next NHLPA Executive Director who understands the challenges the union will face; is committed to building the unity that the task requires; understands that the job is to represent all players throughout the membership; and who can secure and maintain the trust and confidence of the entire membership.”
The Executive Board previously voted, without objection, to authorize the Search Committee to work with Donald Fehr, the former Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). Mr. Fehr recently stepped down as MLBPA Executive Director, a position he held since December 1983.
“These players recognize that this is a critical process, the outcome of which will affect all current and future NHLPA members,” said Fehr. “I am confident that they will discharge this responsibility in the thoughtful, careful and deliberate manner that the circumstances require. I very much look forward to working with the members of the committee.”
The Search Committee will begin its work promptly. The committee will not be making further comment on the search at this time.
Source: NHLPA
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The National Hockey League has signed a letter of intent to sell the Phoenix Coyotes to Ice Edge Holdings, Inc. The news was relayed by Michael DiLorenzo, Director of Social Media Marketing & Strategy for the NHL via Twitter.
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly issued the following statement today regarding the proposed sale of the Coyotes to Ice Edge Holdings:
"The NHL and Ice Edge Holdings announced today that they have entered into a Letter of Intent to proceed in attempting to document and close a proposed transaction pursuant to which Ice Edge would purchase the Phoenix Coyotes' franchise. While much remains to be done, the NHL looks forward to working closely with Ice Edge to bring the sale to conclusion as expeditiously as possible. Ice Edge has committed to keep the Coyotes in Glendale, Arizona."
The Coyotes became wards of the league when owner Jerry Moyes declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Bankruptcy Redfield T. Baum, approved the $140 million sale of the Coyotes to the league in early November, at which point the league said it would work quickly to sell the club with the intent of selling it to an ownership group willing to keep the team in Glendale, as the city and the Coyotes continue to work on a way to renegotiate the lease for Jobing.com Arena.
long-term future in Arizona."
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Outgoing MLBPA Executive Director Donald Fehr has been approved by the NHL players to assist in the search for a new Executive Director for the NHLPA. He is doing so, gratis
The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) today announced that the NHLPA Executive Board has voted to establish two committees. The first committee will review the NHLPA’s constitution. The second committee will begin the search process for a new Executive Director. The Executive Board, which is comprised of one Player Representative from each of the 30 NHL clubs, has appointed four NHLPA members to serve on the Constitution Committee: Steve Montador of the Buffalo Sabres, Dominic Moore of the Florida Panthers, Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins, and Marty Turco of the Dallas Stars. The Constitution Committee will review the terms and operation of the NHLPA constitution, and will report its recommendations back to the Executive Board.
A second committee will initiate the search process for a new NHLPA Executive Director. This Search Committee will develop and recommend appropriate criteria for the candidate search and, after consultation with the Executive Board, initiate the search process. The Search Committee will consist of up to five NHLPA members to be appointed by the Executive Board. The selection process is underway and the committee members will be named shortly.
After discussions with the NHLPA Executive Board, outgoing MLBPA Executive Director, Donald Fehr, offered to work with members of the Constitution and Search Committees. The Executive Board voted without objection to authorize the committees to work with Mr. Fehr, who has served as MLBPA Executive Director since December 1983.
Both committees will work concurrently with and have access to information from the recently formed NHLPA Review Committee. Source: NHLPA
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The "Mark Messier M11" helmet may be one method to try and reduce concussions in the NHL
The National Football League drew attention recently over concussion research which found that players have a higher likelihood of developing long-term problems. But, the NFL isn’t the only professional sports league putting emphasis on protecting its players against head injuries, one major topic buzzing at a meeting of NHL general managers in Toronto was hits to players’ heads.
The discussion, led by Montreal Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey, is specifically concerning the need for a rules change. Gainey said “I think everyone agrees more needs to be done.” Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said the NHL general managers will present a formal rules change recommendation at the next General Managers Meeting in March. No one would say exactly what the suggested rule change will be, but Rutherford said the proposed rule will work to protect players who are blindsided.
Some GM’s aren’t waiting until March to make more effort to protect players’ heads. Toronto Maple Leafs Brian Burke outfitted his AHL affiliate team with new helmets called the “Mark Messier M11.” The helmet is designed to absorb more force than current ones. Several NHL players have already begun wearing the Messier helmet.
If you are wondering about fighting, well, let’s just say it’s always going to be an issue of contention. The GM’s appear to be in favor of further limiting fighting. At last year’s General Manager Meeting, Burke suggested instigator penalties be called on anyone trying to start a fight because of a big hit. The NHL has already made rule changes in attempt to make fighting safer, and there appear to be more on the way. Other ideas include stopping the fight as soon as a players’ helmet comes off or jersey is pulled over his head.
It appears that general managers and the NHL front office are walking a tight rope, in a dilemma similar to that of the NFL, where they want to preserve the game’s integrity but somehow keep players safe. The NFL has faced complaints from players and commentators that the rules are “too soft.” The NHL, which is not nearly as popular as the NFL, wants to avoid scrutiny without endangering its players.
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NHLPA Interim Ombudsman “Buzz” Hargrove has resigned effectively immediately. According to Liz Mullen of the SportsBusiness Journalvia Twitter, Hargrove said, "Under current circumstances, I can not perform duties of Ombudsman."
Hargrove said surveillance by the NHLPA’s review committee made it impossible to carry out duties outlined in NHLPA constitution. That committee is comprised Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom, former Wing, and current AHL Chicago Wolves Chris Chelios, Boston Bruins forward Mark Recchi, and San Jose Sharks captain Rob Blake. That committee is currently looking into the dismissal Paul Kelly, the former Executive Director of the NHLPA that was fired in late August.
Hargrove was announced as the NHLPA Interim Ombudsman on February 27, 2009, following a vote of the NHLPA Executive Board. Before being named Interim Ombudsman, Hargrove was a member of the NHLPA Advisory Board from September 2008 to February 2009.
Since Kelly’s firing, the NHLPA has fallen into almost complete disarray. The review committee was assembled to investigate the Kelly firing, but since its assembly, several key members of the NHLPA have resigned citing many of the same issues that Hargrove has mentioned, the highest ranking member being Ian Penny, the longtime NHLPA General Counsel who was voted in as interim Executive Director after Kelly’s firing.
At the end of October, the review committee installed Union Counsel Mike Ouellet as acting Executive Director, and that Roland Lee was named General Counsel to replace Ouellet on an interim basis. There have been repeated questions as to whether the review committee had the right to install Ouellet based upon the NHLPA’s constitution.
FOR A COMPLETE TIMELINE ON THE NHLPA'S RECENT ISSUES, ALONG WITH COMMENTARY, SEE:
Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.
Bill Daly, Deputy Commissioner of the National Hockey League, released the following statement today regarding the U. S. Bankruptcy Court Order approving the purchase of the Phoenix Coyotes by the NHL:
"We are pleased and very encouraged by today's developments in court. Now that approval of the proposed sale has been entered by the Court, the National Hockey League will work to close the transaction quickly and assume full control of the Coyotes' business operations. The League also will engage immediately in a process to identify -- and expedite sale of the franchise to -- new ownership that is committed to the Club's long-term success in the Phoenix/Glendale area. We do not intend to comment publicly on that process.
"The NHL thanks Coyotes fans for their continued support of the franchise and hopes that today's developments will provide fans further reason to embrace the Coyotes in order to ensure the team's long-term future in Arizona."
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In early November, the SportsBusiness Daily reported NHL attendance was down 1.1 percent. As of Dec. 20, the NHL has almost doubled that number averaging 4.7 percent less fans per game than in the 2008-’09 season. A few teams’ losses jump out: Phoenix Coyotes, despite having the sixth most points in the Western Conference are drawing one-third less fans than last season. The Chicago Blackhawks are drawing 105 percent capacity, but overall average attendance numbers are down due to upgrades in the United Center. Last season the Blackhawks drew 111 percent capacity. Year to date, the Blackhawks are running at 105 percent of capacity.
